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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
voted one year ago that he should do, and made a mistake in sending
him to Oakland instead of Europe. He should have come here at once.
A Decision in Regard to Counseling—We shall not urge any-
thing more in his case, but shall do the uttermost in our power to
save his soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins. I am in great
perplexity at times, and have about come to the conclusion when a
case of error and grievous sin is presented before me, to say nothing
to my ministering brethren if they do not know the matter themselves,
but labor earnestly for the erring one, and encourage him to hope in
God’s mercy and cling to the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour,
look to the Lamb of God in repentance and contrition, and live in His
strength. “Come now, and let us reason together; ... though your sins
[241]
be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like
crimson, they shall be as wool” [
Isaiah 1:18
].
There is not the mingling of the elements of character that brings
justice and mercy and the love of God into beautiful harmony. There is
altogether too much talking, too many strong words and feelings that
the Lord has nothing to do with, and these strong feelings influence
our good brethren.
Compassion and Sympathy, But Also Plain Dealing—I am
compelled to deal plainly and rebuke sin, and then I have it in my
heart, placed there by the Spirit of Christ, to labor in faith, in tender
sympathy and compassion for the erring. I will not let them alone; I
will not leave them to become the sport of Satan’s temptations. I will
not myself act the part of the adversary of souls, as is represented by
Joshua and the Angel. Souls cost the price of my Redeemer’s blood.
When men, themselves liable to temptation, erring mortals, shall
be free to pronounce upon another’s case, who is humbled in the dust,
and shall take it on themselves to decide by their own feelings or the
feelings of their brethren, just how much feeling the erring one should
manifest to be pardoned, [they are] taking on themselves that which
God has not required of them. When I know that there are those who
have fallen into great sin, but we have labored with and for them, and
God has afterwards accepted their labors, when these have pleaded for
me to let them go and not to burden myself for them, I have said, “I
will not give you up; you must gather strength to overcome.” These
men are now in active service....